Steel Will Knives

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Wilson

Steel Will Knives CourageSport Manufacturing Group, Inc. has launched a knife brand called Steel Will Knives.  The line will include knives in three catagories:  Tactical, Outdoor, and Urban.  The knife above is the Model 310 Courage from their tactical series.  The Courage is a full tang fixed blade with 9Cr15MoV steel and G10 handle slabs.

This knife has a 7 inches of angularly formed steel with section both hollow and flat ground.  My photos don’t do justice to how cool this blade looks in person.  It is almost faceted at the point to provide good penetration.  The handle slabs are machined in an homage to traditional tanto cord wrapping.

Steel Will Knives Courage with Sheath Continue reading →

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Rat Worx Chain Drive Folding Knives

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Wilson

Rat Worx NautilusResearch and Testing Worx, Inc. is better known in gun circles as Rat Worx.  Several years ago, they decided to branch out into knifemaking with an innovative design called the chain drive.  As simple as it sounds, the knife is actuated by dual nested coil springs pulling on a short length of roller chain to bring the blade to lock up via a plunge lock.

At Blade Show 2014, Rat Worx designer Allen Millhouse showed me the chain drive system on a number of their automatic folders.  He was most proud of the limited edition Nautilus model shown here.  It is a send up to the look popularized in the 1954 movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, from the novel by Jules Verne.  I also heard the word Steampunk bandied about the show floor.

If you remember the Nautilus submarine in the movie, then you will spot many familiar design cues such as the bow serrations on the blade spine, the plate and rivet look of the hull, and an iris viewing port.  The aluminum bronze of the handles is stunning, as is the Alabama Random damascus used to imitate the shimmering sea on the blade.

Rat Worx Chain Drive Continue reading →

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Blade Show 2014 Winners

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Wilson

Emerson Kershaw CollaborationIn case you missed the winners at Blade Show 2014, here is the breakdown:

Publisher’s Award: Mark Zalesky
Industry Achievement Award: Aldo and Edda Lorenzi
2014 Accessory of the Year: SOG Blade Light Sheath
2014 Kitchen Knife Of The Year®: Kai USA Shun Dual Core
2014 Investor/Collector Knife Of The Year®: Pro-Tech Ultimate Godson 2014
2014 Collaboration Knife Of The Year®: Spartan Blades/Les George
2014 Best Buy Knife Of The Year®: Kershaw/Emerson CQC
2014 Manufacturing Quality Award: Lion Steel
2014 Hall of Fame Inductee: Goldie Russell
2014 Most Innovative Imported Knife Of The Year®: Klecker Knives Tri-Klax
2014 Most Innovative American Knife Of The Year®: Spartan Blades Integral Frame Slipjoint
2014 Imported Knife Of The Year®: Spyderco Rubicon
2014 American Made Knife Of The Year®: Zero Tolerance 0562CF
2014 People’s Choice Knife Of The Year®: RAT Worx MRX
2014 Overall Knife Of The Year®: CRKT/Ken Onion Hi Jinx

I saw many fans drooling over the glass cases containing the entries for the award categories.  Uh…me, too.  It must have been tough to judge because the shelves were jam-packed with excellent blades and accessories.

by Wilson

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New CRKT Hi Jinx–Blade Show 2014 Overall Knife of the Year

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Wilson

CRKT Hi JinxA new mid-year release from the Columbia River Knife and Tool company is the Hi Jinx, designed by Ken Onion.  This is a limited production run of 525 number pieces.  It is made in Magiano, Italy and features a Bohler Uddeholm stainless steel blade with a titanium framelock.

The blade length is 3.32″.  It has a nice high flat grind.  I love the industrial feel of titanium handles–they are almost warm to the touch.  Hi Jinx is an extremely smooth flipper with its IKBS bearing system.  The overall fit and finish befit a collectors’ knife with an MSRP of $500.00.

I enjoyed the ease of the flipper and the bang! of the lock as it engaged.  Since CRKT is known more for its cost conscious offerings, seeing a top flight knife such as this in their lineup is a nice change.  Watch the video below for Mr. Onion’s great take on the Hi Jinx and his tongue in cheek humor at the end. Continue reading →

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Boots on the Ground at Blade Show 2014

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Wilson

imageAfter a lively seven and a half hours in the car, I finally pulled into the Cobb Galleria Center for Blade Show 2014.  I collected my Media Pass, which allows for an early entry into the venue with the VIP attendees, and began my reconnoiter.

It is exciting to be among people who share the passion for a common interest. Blade Show is a place where you can talk to a production wizard such as Spyderco’s Eric Glesser, then walk twenty yards and converse with upstart designer Andy Buerk of fledgling Guardian Tactical (article forthcoming).

You would be hard pressed to decide which man had more pride in their products.  It is unmistakable, the gleam in their eyes and the enthusiasm with which they speak.  For a knife lover, it is a magical place.

imageimageimage Continue reading →

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Headin’ to Blade!

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Wilson

BladeShow

I will be getting up at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow to drive to Atlanta for the Blade Show 2014.  I took the day off for the trip and am going to spend Friday and Saturday at the Show.

If you are inbound, drop me an email (Wilson@BladeBarrelBezel.com) and say Hi.  The Blade Show was terribly fun last year and I know it will be another great steel wonderland this year.  I just hope my Visa card can control itself.

by Wilson

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Choosing a Fixed Blade for Day Hiking

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Wilson

Fixed Blade ChoicesShortly, I will be traveling out to California for a little hiking.  I wanted to take a fixed blade knife in my pack.  My options are not just limited to the few I photographed above.  I guess since my wife and I would be taking day trips, I did not need a very large knife for Bushcraft chores.

To carry the gear, I will be humping a Tactical Tailor backpack loaded with water, snacks, first aid supplies, and a DLSR camera with two lenses.  A twenty-five pound pack may seem a bit much for short (5 to fifteen mile) treks, but some of the areas are a little remote and without cellular signals. Continue reading →

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Minuteman Watches Announce New Knife

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Wilson

imageMinuteman Watches sent me this press release:

“In an effort to expand efforts to raise funds for charities that assist veterans and their families. We are now offering our 1st Minuteman knife.

“Our Minuteman knife is a rugged folding knife with a very safe and secure frame lock. The knife is essentially our version of the very popular ZeroTolerance 0801 & is made for us by ZeroTolerance Knives in the United States of America.

“Our version features BlackWashed finish applied by Ionbond. In addition we have opted to go with a sanitized blade meaning there are no brand names, etc etched onto the blade. In fact the ZeroTolerance brand name only appears subtly on the knife handle while our Minuteman brand name and logo only appear on the pocket clip.

Continue reading →

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BLADE Show 2014

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Wilson

Blade Show banner ad 300x250BLADE Show is in its 33rd year!  In one month, knife enthusiasts and industry professionals will meet at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA, for the largest knife show in the world.  Over 900 exhibitors are registered for booths or tables at the event.

I will be in attendance again this year and hope you bring you some of the highlights of the show and anything new that catches my eye.

imageThe tables are packed with edged goodness and nearly any famous living knifemaker you can name will be there.  I highly recommend you make the pilgrimage at least once in your life to this show of shows.  I am pretty stoked to be going!

Below is a list of the events and the seminar schedule. Continue reading →

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New Coast Products Polysteel Knives

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Wilson

Coast folder smallCoast Products is showing off their new Polysteel knives at the upcoming National Hardware Show from May 6 to May 8 in Las Vegas.  The photographs you see here are prototypes that I was able to handle at the SHOT Show back in January of this year.

Coast press release:

“For project work in the most extreme environmental, job site and weather conditions, COAST’s new POLYSTEEL™ BX300 and BX315 folding knives work continuously, comfortably and safely. With blades made of 9Cr18Mov stainless steel, the new POLYSTEEL knives are extremely tough and dependable in all-temperatures and environments. They feature co-molded hard nylon fiberglass filled inner frames covered by a non-slip Thermo Plastic Rubber (TPR) outer layer. These knife blades can be counted on to maintain their maximum hardness and edge-holding capability. The outer layer is cushioned and makes a long day working with your knife much easier. For added safety and dependable use, they include an easy to operate back-lock. The BX300 has a 3.0-inch blade, 7.125 inches overall (open) and weighs 1.6 ounces. The BX315 has a 3.25-inch blade, 8.625 inches overall and weighs 3.6 ounces.”

Continue reading →

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